CCJN editor Alan Smason<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Indeed, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was enduring a test of its ability to be the champion of young men and ladies due to its former adult standards which excluded gay youth and LGBT adult leaders. While most of the national religious groups that promoted those standards were not Jewish, the association with the BSA meant that the National Jewish Committee on Scouting (NJCOS) \u2013 a pluralistic group of Jewish adult leaders founded 94 years ago \u2013 was forced to go along with the majority stance while quietly and steadfastly advocating for change within the organization.<\/p>\n
The BSA and the NJCOS became the initial targets of the Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR) and the Union of American Hebrew Congregations (now the Union for Reform Judaism or URJ). Later, elements within the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism (USCJ) also added their opposition to the Scouting policies, railing against the BSA and, hence, the NJCOS, as being homophobic and discriminatory.<\/p>\n
The NJCOS was the first organized religious relationships group associated with the BSA to speak out against the adult standards policies and, in the interest of transparency, I readily acknowledge I have been a member for almost two decades. Change came slowly and I was personally attacked both publicly and privately for my adherence to Scouting’s principles during this time.<\/p>\n
Throughout the period of difficulty, I led more than a dozen Ten Commandments Hikes with the Southeast Louisiana Council, which were intended to honor God and promote tolerance and acceptance of all religions including Judaism, and also helped to sponsor Scout Shabbats at local Jewish houses of worship.<\/p>\n
The NJCOS continued to sponsor its religious emblems program, a program intended to promote pride in Judaism by Jewish Scouts similar to those promoted by other organized religious groups. The Maccabee and Aleph religious emblems are intended for Cub Scouts, while the Ner Tamid and Etz Chaim religious emblems were for Boy Scouts (now referred to as the more inclusive Scouts BSA) and the Venturing program for older teens.<\/p>\n
When change did come to the BSA from 2013 through 2015, the URJ and the USCJ welcomed back the Scouting program to their temples and synagogues. But the damage to Jewish Scouting was already done.<\/p>\n
A generation of Jewish Scouts was lost during this period, despite the efforts of hundreds of dedicated adult leaders, or Scouters. The NJCOS has suffered some rebukes from the more observant Jewish quarters over the changes to the BSA’s adult standards, but largely most Jewish groups are once again officially aligned with the aims and goals of Jewish Scouting.<\/p>\n
One might think the floodgates would open and that youth and parents would be flocking to organize new Jewish units, but sadly that is not the case. As of this date, there are no Jewish units existing within our local council, although there are a few Jewish parents who had indicated some desire to become more involved.<\/p>\n
Recently, one area youth earned the very first Etz Chaim religious emblem in the Greater New Orleans area. Normally, it would be a time to acknowledge that Scout’s achievement and an opportunity for others to see the great ideals inculcated in Scouting. A public acknowledgment and a ceremony to announce the achievement would typically be in order.<\/p>\n
For whatever the reasons, this Scout has asked not to be acknowledged publicly in any way.<\/p>\n
I will honor that request.<\/p>\n
But after nearly two decades of waiting for the Etz Chaim religious emblem to be earned by any youth, it is a personal disappointment that I must be silent on the matter.<\/p>\n
If I were allowed the permission to add one further point, I would state that religious emblems and Jewish Scouting award presentations such as the Shofar Award for adults are opportunities to let others know about the good work inculcated in Scouting and to show that Judaism can be an integral part of the Scouting program too.<\/p>\n
A parent or future Scout in the audience seeing a Scout receive a religious emblem or a Scouter receive an award might become more interested in becoming involved with Scouting at a critical time when membership is declining rapidly and the national organization is facing bankruptcy and reorganization. <\/p>\n
Opportunities like these are few and far between. But one thing that Scouting teaches us all is that we must emulate the ideals found within the Scout Law. While the 12th Point of the Scout Law points to being Reverent, there are others that I would suggest are even more important. These are for a Scout to be Friendly, Courteous and Kind.<\/p>\n
It is for those reasons I will, reluctantly, ignore this milestone and be mute on the subject. But rest assured, I will continue to don my hat and wear it proudly for any who may inquire.<\/p>\n
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